Cleaning air filter

[Grant Buckler]

I"ve got the air filter off my "52 8N and think I should replace the metal mesh filter material and clean inside the canister. There are two coils of mesh and the bottom one was easy enough to remove, but getting hold of the upper one from the bottom of the filter canister is tough. I saw one suggestion about using a bent piece of coat hanger. Does anyone know a better way?

 

[Caryc]

Go down to Harbor Freight and pick up a set of those extra long needle nose pliers. They're cheap enough for a set of two. They're about 12 inches long and are what I use for that. They will also come in handy for lots of other things you may run across.

 

[souNdguy]

or you can clean it in a 5g bucket with some solvent and water, and tghen oil up and put back together..

soundguy

 

[Caryc]

(quoted from post at 15:50:53 05/07/10) or you can clean it in a 5g bucket with some solvent and water, and tghen oil up and put back together..

soundguy

I guess there's lots of tricks people use. Myself I like to take the stuff out and clean it so I can hold it up to the sun and see for myself how clean it really is.

Besides, there is a Harbor Freight right here in my town and I just can't walk into that place without seeing at least five things besides what I went in there for that I just can't live without.

Maybe it's because I've lived out here in the hills for 30 years and it takes a 45 minute trip to get to town. I like to be prepared. So I see things that I might use once in a lifetime and get them. When that one time comes I'm always glad I bought it. :wink:

 

[36 Coupe]

I checked the mesh in my 54 600.very little dirt in the upper section, none in the lower.Mesh keeps the stones out, oil bath gets the dirt.Nit picking will get you in trouble around tractors

 

[Hobo,NC]

(quoted from post at 20:09:44 05/07/10) I"ve got the air filter off my "52 8N and think I should replace the metal mesh filter material and clean inside the canister. There are two coils of mesh and the bottom one was easy enough to remove, but getting hold of the upper one from the bottom of the filter canister is tough. I saw one suggestion about using a bent piece of coat hanger. Does anyone know a better way?

What ever it takes get the mesh out unroll and clean,,, lots of chit gets trapped in it that a spray wipe and go will not remove,,, I have had them so stopped up you could not clean them,,, as for the long pliers china makes them so cheap anyone can afford them,,,, the first long needle nose pliers I brought cost over $40,,, now you can buy a complete set for that,,, if you go thru the elcheapo bend at HF you can pick out some good'ns,,, be selective some of'em are junk you just got to look at them good.... why stop at 12",,, I use the 16" more than any in my box....

WARNING all I know I read on the Internet,,, do it enuff and you can become a guru also,,, not responsible for damages,,, I read it and just pass it along,,, proceed with caution

 

[Caryc]

(quoted from post at 17:52:08 05/07/10) I checked the mesh in my 54 600.very little dirt in the upper section, none in the lower.Mesh keeps the stones out, oil bath gets the dirt.Nit picking will get you in trouble around tractors

I would hardly call making sure the air cleaner is "clean" nit picking. What other maintenance things would you call nit picking?

 

[Hobo,NC]

I spec were he lives theirs no grass, straw, seeds and such that will find it way into the mesh get oiled down get trapped and stop the show up... rocks are yer least of worries...

WARNING all I know I read on the Internet,,, do it enuff and you can become a guru also,,, not responsible for damages,,, I read it and just pass it along,,, proceed with caution

 

[36 Coupe]

I keep the oil cup full of clean oil.Ive checked the mesh.My air cleaner has a snap ring that makes it easy to take the mesh out, some cleaners dont have it. The top mesh had very little dirt in the first inch.You will learn to leave well enough alone as you age.

 

[36 Coupe]

Good mechanics dont shop at harbor fright.

 

[Caryc]

(quoted from post at 02:38:50 05/08/10) I keep the oil cup full of clean oil.Ive checked the mesh.My air cleaner has a snap ring that makes it easy to take the mesh out, some cleaners dont have it. The top mesh had very little dirt in the first inch.You will learn to leave well enough alone as you age.

Just how old do I have to get? I'm 63 now. Can you tell me what bad effects will come about from removing all that mesh and cleaning it well?

As for your condescending remark about tools from Harbor Freight. How the hell would you know anything about my mechanical skills? You apparently failed to notice that I said "tools you may use once in a lifetime" or actually maybe twice. For this price I'll gladly pay the cheap price to have that tool sitting on a shelf should it ever be needed. If it does that job once or twice and then breaks, I'll still be happy.

For everyday use tools, I'll stick with good name brand stuff. Get off your high horse buddy, I don't have much faith in the mechanical skills of someone that thinks routine maintenance is nit picking stuff.

The word "lazy" seems to come into mind for some reason. Sorry, but you asked for it.

 

[36 Coupe]

Im 72 so have been working on tractors longer than you. A mechanic is judged by his tools.You must be one of those types that pads the bill doing unneeded work.Glad I got you riled up.

 

[Caryc]

(quoted from post at 03:05:01 05/09/10) Im 72 so have been working on tractors longer than you. A mechanic is judged by his tools.You must be one of those types that pads the bill doing unneeded work.Glad I got you riled up.

That's the dumbest thing I ever heard. Someone that has more money than brains can buy all the best tools in the world. That doesn't make them a mechanic.

A good mechanic gets the job done correctly no matter what brand of tools he uses. I care about the outcome of a mechanics work. If he fixed the problem correctly I don't give a crap what he used to fix it. I only care that it's been fixed and the problem is no longer there.

I don't care how shiny your expensive tools look hanging on the wall in their proper places. Since your idea that routine maintenance is nit picking, I would never bring anything for you to repair or maintain.

Let's forget about tools entirely. You don't believe in thoroughly cleaning the air cleaner. I would never trust you as a mechanic. I don't care how much you have invested in tools.

You must be one of those types that pads the bill doing unneeded work.Glad I got you riled up.

Man.....lay off the booze fella. Where the heck did you get that one? I believe in thoroughly cleaning the air cleaner so I'm a sleazy mechanic that pads his bill? Now that's really reaching.

 

[36 Coupe]

You aint wrapped to tight .Go away.

 

[Caryc]

(quoted from post at 08:42:26 05/09/10) You aint wrapped to tight .Go away.

Great come back. :mrgreen: About what I'd expect from you.